Scouting the Minnesota Suns Summer Xplosion

We went to the [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] Summer Xplosion on Sunday with no particular game plan. Rather than working through a tightly planned agenda of games, we just kind of winged it throughout the day at Hopkins High School. That approach delivered a wide cross section of talent to review including a former high-end prospect who is now working her way back into the spotlight. Here's what we liked while scouting the Suns tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='918680' first='Noraa' last='Ivey'] – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns']   Ivey is having the kind of summer that makes you stop, take notice, and start wondering as we did three years ago just how high her ceiling might be. Playing up a year on the Suns 2027 S40 squad, the Wayzata guard has embraced every challenge thrown her way – and there have been plenty of them. What I appreciate most is her competitiveness. Noraa attacks the basket with conviction, welcomes contact, and plays with a scorer's mentality that keeps defenders on edge. Ivey is a disruptive defender who will make players pay if they are careless with the basketball. She uses her superior quickness and anticipation to pilfer balls time and time again.   Against Minnesota Swish on Saturday Noraa reminded everyone that her perimeter shot is a weapon too, knocking down four three-pointers. I'd still like to see her hunt those opportunities more often because the ability is clearly there. The journey hasn't been easy for Ivey. An injury cost her an entire season, and after transferring from Park Center to Wayzata she was restricted to junior varsity action. These circumstances have caused many to forget about Noraa's college potential. Our first-hand review of her current status serves as a solid reminder that Ivey can flat out play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1314282' first='Ella' last='Ludwig'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns']   On a Suns 2029 team where the offense most often seems to flow through uber-athletic [player_tooltip player_id='1869768' first='Jilaeya' last='Jefferson'] and hard-nosed forward [player_tooltip player_id='1256822' first='Azalea' last='Tesch'], it's not easy for a player like Ludwig to attract attention. Ella often goes about her business quietly. Trust me when I tell you that the St. Louis Park guard, who led the Orioles in scoring as a freshman, is a sleeper in the Class of 2029. Ella has a calming presence on the floor and consistently seems to find her way into the right spot at the right time. She plays under control, rarely forces the issue, and makes smart decisions with the basketball. I especially like her shooting mechanics, with a release that is quick, compact, and repeatable. When she attacks with aggression and pace, Ella offers up brief glimpses of what is possible long-term. With added confidence and a more assertive mindset, I think people are going to discover just how good Ella can be.   [player_tooltip player_id='1326316' first='Myla' last='Eastman'] – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='713291' first='Minnesota' last='Nice']   Eastman was one of the more intriguing players I watched at the Suns Xplosion. At 5-foot-10 with broad shoulders and a powerful frame, she already looks the part of a college prospect stepping off the bus. What impressed me most, though, was how Eastman handled adversity. The game we watched was extraordinarily physical – let's just say the opponent crossed the line in a big way – yet Myla absorbed contact, bounced back up, and kept competing possession after possession.   Offensively, she brings more versatility than you might expect at first glance. Her three-point shot is a real weapon, aided by a smooth release and a high release point that makes contests difficult. She also understands how to use her strength and footwork to carve out space in the paint for short jumpers and finishes around the basket. Better yet, she's quicker than she initially appears, finding seams and attacking openings before defenders can react.   There is a confidence to her game that I appreciate. Eastman isn't afraid of the moment and doesn't hesitate when opportunities present themselves. [program_tooltip program_id='713291' first='Minnesota' last='Nice'] director Pierre Ellis has a long history of identifying overlooked talent before everyone else catches on – South Dakota freshman Tucker Downs, for example – and he believes Eastman is a prospect worth paying attention to. Call me intrigued by the possibilities.   [player_tooltip player_id='1037503' first='Cecilia' last='Jaunich'] – 2028 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns']   We've watched Cece numerous times over the years, both in AAU and in high school, so we weren't surprised when she wasted little time making a good impression on Sunday with a slick corner three to spark her Suns squad. The Delano guard looks noticeably more polished than she did a year ago. Her game has matured, and she now carries herself with the confidence of someone who understands exactly what she brings to the floor. Listed at 5'9 but looking taller, CeCe has good size, quality length, and enough bounce to impact the game in multiple ways. She shoots it well from deep, moves fluidly in space, and uses long strides to get downhill in transition. With Delano graduating key contributors, it feels like she's ready for a much larger role.   [player_tooltip player_id='1345576' first='Jasmine' last='Mata'] – 2030 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Elite   Mata may have been one of the smallest players on the floor, but she was impossible to ignore. The Forest Lake guard plays with the kind of electricity that instantly changes the pace of a game. One moment she's picking off a pass in the lane, the next she's racing the other direction for a transition basket before anyone can react. What stood out most was her composure. Despite her age and size, Jasmine never appeared rushed. She handled pressure confidently, ran the offense with poise, and attacked openings with fearless determination. Her footwork is exceptional, her lateral quickness is elite, and she's remarkably creative with the ball in her hands. Simply put, Mata is a spark plug who makes things happen.

We went to the Minnesota Suns Summer Xplosion on Sunday with no particular game plan. Rather than working through a tightly planned agenda of games, we just kind of winged it throughout the day at Hopkins High School. That approach delivered a wide cross section of talent to review including a former high-end prospect who is now working her way back into the spotlight. Here's what we liked while scouting the Suns tournament.